First Day of the Rest of My Life: 2017

Every year I celebrate my birthday for about 3-4 weeks. That's because I rack up birthday freebies, and redeem them over the course of the month. This year was no exception. And I have severe sugar overload right now! Many friends ask how I get so many free things, so I thought it would be good to compile a list of goodies you too can be eligible for! I can't even collect all the things before they expire, so I will post what I redeemed this year in order, with links when appropriate, and then list at the bottom, other freebies I didn't get to. I get emails with birthday offers, and sometimes I have no recollection of having signed up for them. Some require a phone app, others are through Five Stars, Facebook, or signing up online or in store/restaurant.

1. Outback Steakhouse (Free dessert of choice... my choice, classic cheesecake, with chocolate sauce) This is their current Dine Rewards link, but it doesn't ask for a birthday. https://www.outback.com/offers

Most restaurants will comp a birthday dessert if you mention it. But once at a fancy restaurant in San Francisco, which shall remain nameless, I was so full, I said I was passing on dessert. Then they brought me a surprise birthday dessert. The surprise was, we were billed $11 for said dessert, and we paid for it!

2. Nothing Bundt Cakes- free bundtlet https://www.nothingbundtcakes.com/eclub

3. Auntie Anne's- free classic pretzel. Get the Pretzel Perks App http://www.auntieannes.com/my-pretzel-perks-app

4. Sephora- they usually have a couple items to choose from. I chose the blush and lip gloss (sign up for their Beauty Insider program https://www.sephora.com/rewards)

5. Cream- free regular size ice cream sandwich (Five Star Rewards App, make sure you add your birthday) **

6. Kohl's-$10 Kohl's Cash (credit card or Rewards Card holder) No photo, I went shopping, and used it on top of some other coupons, so I basically got a top for free).

7. Dickey's BBQ- Big BBQ sandwich (I asked for turkey). Join the Big Yellow Cup Club https://www.dickeys.com/about/community

8. Starbucks- Any drink (Register any Starbucks card with the rewards program https://www.starbucks.com/promo/rewards)

9. Krispy Kreme- donut and small coffee. I got an email, but their website now says to download their app for rewards http://krispykreme.com/hotlightapp

10. Baskin Robbins- free junior scoop. My daughter was happy, because she qualified for this too, and our birthdays are two days apart, so we enjoy this one together. https://www.baskinrobbins.com/content/baskinrobbins/en/signin.html

11. I noticed this year on Facebook that ads showed birthday rewards. Bowl of Heaven was a free smoothie, juice or Acai Bowl (I think you can create an account online, but the guy said it's usually $5 off, but when he input my info, it rang up for .25 and it is normally $9.75!) The Acai bowl was delicious!

12. Black Bear Diner- Free breakfast. This is one of my favorites. I enjoy breakfast for dinner, and they serve breakfast all day long! https://blackbeardiner.com/clubs/

13. AMC Theatres- Free large popcorn. This tub is ginormous! Join Stubs Rewards https://www.amctheatres.com/amcstubs

14. Habit Burger- Free charburger with cheese. Join the Char Club. You might want fries with that.

15. Sprinkles Cupcakes- free cupcake of your choice. One of my favorites! Salty caramel for me please! Join their perks club

Well folks, that is all I could get to this year. 15 freebies in about 4 weeks. Not too shabby. I may actually still get to Panera for my free drink, but want to post this. Here is a list of other offers I didn't redeem in time:

Coldstone- Buy one "Like it" or "Love it", get one free. http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/mycsc/

DSW- $5 reward. https://www.dsw.com/en/us/rewards

Half Price Books- coupon for 15% off purchase. https://www.hpb.com/login

Hallmark- A couple local stores send me freebies for my birthday. One sent a coupon for a free wallet! Sign up for Crown Rewards https://explore.hallmark.com/crown-rewards/

Kebab Shop- $5 off. http://www.thekebabshop.com/

Knudsen's Ice Creamery (Castro Valley)- Sign up to get a free ice cream during your birthday month http://www.icecreamery.net/BirthdayClub.html

Olive Garden- free dessert http://www.olivegarden.com/specials/free-birthday-appetizer-or-dessert-with-your-meal

Panera Bread- My Panera Card loads a birthday reward (free coffee or tea this year) Sign up for My Panera https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/mypanera/registration-page.html

Rita's Italian Ice- Free Italian Ice. You can sign up your kids too. It's just too cold in November. https://www.ritasice.com/connect/birthday-club/

Strizzi's- $10 off meal (on your birthday and anniversary of sign up, so you may want to spread this out.) http://www.strizzis.com/email-club/

** Other freebies via the Five Star app: free topping at Share Tea, double points at Taro Taro Tea House, Buy one, get one free at Cha Time.

Any other great local freebies I missed? Let me know in the comments!